Melbourne Victory visit the Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 2 of the Ninja A-League on Sunday, November 9, kick-off 4pm AEDT.
Victory’s Women are looking to mark Jeff Hopkins’ 200th game in the A-Leagues with their first points of the 2025/26 season, after last term’s Grand Finalists were edged out away to Brisbane Roar last Saturday, on an afternoon where the 3-2 scoreline only tells half the story.
The start was delayed in Queensland due to lightning in the local area, before the game was later paused in the closing stages when the weather returned. Similarly, Wanderers’ Round 1 fixture, a home defeat versus Perth Glory, got underway 75 minutes behind schedule.
The Girls in Blue
Nobody will be more determined than Jeff Hopkins to get off the mark this weekend, with the legendary boss bringing up his double century. His 151 games at the helm of Victory, spanning over nine years and counting, have delivered countless incredible memories, including one Premiers Plate and two A-League Championships.
He has made no secret of his desire to win every match, so he will, without a doubt, be revving up his playing squad for an emphatic response after the reverse against Brisbane Roar.
The result aside, the trip to Queensland presented plenty of plus points for the weeks and months ahead, and Victory were edged out despite the absence of three notable summer signings – Chelsea Blissett, Taylor Ray and Sienna Saveska.
There was, though, a strong first impression delivered by Rhianna Pollicina, who netted the game’s opener courtesy of a stunning strike from the edge of the 18-yard box, as she imposed herself on the midfield battleground.
And another debutant, forward Kennedy White, made her mark. She showed textbook striker instincts, latching onto a knockdown to stab home her first Victory goal.
Continuing to set the standards, Captain, Kayla Morrison, skippering the group for a fifth successive season, was named in the A-League Women’s Team of the Week.
Round 1 Squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella, O’GRADY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 14. Fiorina, IARIA, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 17. Poppy O KEEFFE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN, 20. Leyla, HUSSEIN, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 30. Payton WOODWARD, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 88. Grace MAHER
Ins: 7. Ella O’GRADY, 20. Leyla, HUSSEIN
Outs: N/A
Unavailable: 4. Chelsea BLISSETT (back). 6. Taylor RAY (foot) 8. Sienna SAVESKA (medical) 11. Nickoletta FLANNERY (leg)
Watching the Wanderers
After finishing rock bottom in 2024/25, Western Sydney Wanderers would have hoped for better from being hosts in Round 1. Fortunately, for the Wander Women, they have another opportunity to maximise home advantage when they step out at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing at the half-time break and conceding a second goal just two minutes after the restart to the Glory, Wanderers’ defender Ella Buchanan managed to score her side’s first goal of the season to bring Western Sydney back within touching distance.
However, American striker Gabby Hollar netted her brace just one minute later for the Glory, with the visitors cruising away to prevail as 1-3 winners.
Run it back
The last meeting at the Wanderers Football Park came in Round 19 of the 2024/25 regular season, with Melbourne Victory walking away as 0-1 victors in a tight contest.
Taking the lead in the 18th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Wanderers’ full-back Danika Matos, Victory held in tight to leave with all three points in Sydney’s west.
In the midst of record-breaking winning and undefeated streaks, Jeff Hopkins’ side will hope to once again return to Melbourne with the win in their hands and kick-start their 2025/26 campaign.
Last time out
Melbourne Victory fell to Brisbane Roar in their season-opening fixture at Spencer Park, suffering a disappointing 2-3 defeat in a lightning-filled clash.
Fighting back from a goal down to lead at half-time, thanks to debut goals from Rhianna Pollicina and Kennedy White, the hosts wiggled their way back into the contest and took their chances, with goals from Matildas stars, Sharn Freier and Tameka Yallop.
The Western Sydney Wanderers were unable to start their season in an ideal manner, overpowered by Perth Glory at Wanderers Football Park.
Falling 1-3 to a clinical Glory team, the Wanderers had their chances but could not capitalise, with nothing to show for their efforts.
